The Student Voice, 1964

In his keynote address at SNCC's 50th anniversary conference, civil rights activist and entertainer Harry Belafonte asked, "Why can’t our grandchildren find us?" The display "Risking Everything" addresses his question by telling the story of one pivotal episode, the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer project, in ways that engage and challenge young people.

Since 2014, "Risking Everything" has traveled to more than 50 venues around the nation and been seen by over 100,000 people. The Wisconsin Historical Society currently provides this display to schools, public libraries, historical societies and civic organizations in Wisconsin. To request "Risking Everything" for your organization, please email travelingexhibits@wisconsinhistory.org or contact Rick Bernstein at 608-264-6583. To browse the Wisconsin Historical Society's other traveling displays, click here.

What was Freedom Summer?

In the summer of 1964, 70,000 black Mississippi residents, mostly disenfranchised poor people, were joined by about 1,500 volunteers, mostly northern college students, as they attempted to register to vote and challenge segregation. Local police, state government and communitiy leaders fought back, trying to keep African Americans "in their place." Several residents and civil rights workers were murdered and hundreds were beaten or arrested. Widespread media coverage shocked the nation, leading nine months later to the 1965 voting rights act which finally broke the back of Jim Crow America.

What's In the Display?

The sixteen panels of "Risking Everything" tell the story of Freedom Summer in simple language, with reproductions of 77 historic photographs and documents. The display is most suitable for secondary schools and the general public.